Reel



Nov. 17, 1931. E. SPONABLE ET AL 1,832,590

REEL

Filed Feb. 27, 1929 Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITEDSTATES PATENT orFlcEEARL I. SPONABLE AND FREDERICK S. BRAGE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORSTO FOX CASE CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORKREEL Application filed February 27, 1929. Serial No. 343,185.

This invention relates to a reel adapted to be used more particularlyfor the reception of photo-films in motion picture producing andprojecting machines, but obviously may be used for receiving any othertape to be wound an unwound upon and from the periphery thereof.

The main object is to provide a reel with a normally circular rim orperipheral surface capable of being contracted circumferentially orradially to permit the tap wound thereon to be easily and quicklyremoved and replaced as a unit without materially disturbing thesymmetry of the winding.

Another object is to provide the reelwith means for conveniently andexpeditiously varying its circumferential length or radius and forautomatically returning and locking the rim to and in its circular form.

Ofher objects and uses relating to specific parts of the reel and itsexpanding and contracting means will be brought out in the followingdescription.

In the drawings Figures 1 and 2 are similar end face views of a reelembodying the various features of my invention, showing the segments indifferent positions of adjustment.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same reel taken in theplane of line 22. Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a transverse sectional View taken in the plane of line 4-4,Figure 3.

As illustrated, this reel comprises a hub 1, a rim -2 and suitablespokes 3 connecting the rim and hub, said reel being divideddiametrically at -4:' to form opposed substantially semi-circularsegments 5 and 5'.

These segments are preferably made of light non-corrodible cast metal,such as aluminum alloy, and are hingedly connected at their meeting endsat one side of the axis by a pivotal pin 6- near the periphery thereofwhile the remaining portions of the meeting faces of the segments arenormally in more or less spaced relation to permit them to be movedtoward and from each other for varying the circumferential length orradius of the periphery of the reel.

from its normal circular form, said means comprising, in this instance,a pair of similar toggle members 7- and -7 extending across the division4lbetween the rim and hub of the reel and having their outer endspivoted respectively at -8 and 8- to the corresponding segments -5 and5-- equal distances from the division and their inner ends arranged inoverlapping relation and pivoted to each other at 9 to permit the togglemembers to swing in radial planes toward and from the hub forcontracting and expanding the rim.

These toggle members are preferably made of relatively thin metal andare arranged in axially spaced relation to move in different planes, theportion of the pivotal pin-9- between the overlapping ends of the togglemembers being of slightly greater diameter than the ends of the pinspassing through said members to assist in holdin the overlapping ends inspaced relation.

It will be noted, however, that the outer ends of the toggle members areseated in slots -10 of corresponding thickness in the inner faces of theadjacent ends of the segments -5 and 5'- to additionally guide saidmembers in their rocking movement and also to hold the meeting ends ofthe segments against relative axial movement.

The pivotal pin 9 connecting the inner ends of the toggle members 7 and7- is movable to and from a direct line between the axes of the pivots8- and -8' so that when the toggles are moved to a straightened positionall portions of the peripheries of the segments 5 and 5 will be equal.distances from the axis or center of the reel and in like manner theinner peripheries of the hub portions will be concentric with said axis.

On the other hand, when the toggle joint is flexed inwardly from itsnormal straight position the segments will be drawn toward each otherabout the axis of the pivot 6 for reducing thediameter of the reel atright angles to the plane of division and thereby effecting acorresponding reduction of the circumferential length of the rim of thereel from its normal circular form.

It, therefore, follows that it a photo-film or other tape is wound uponthe periphery of the reel when the latter is in its normal circular formand it is desired to remove the winding from the reel it is simplynecessary to depress the toggle joint inwardly beyond the. straightenedposition thereby contracting the periphery t the reel suificiently toallow the winding as a unit to be easily and quickly removed from thereel.

In a reverse manner the winding in its entirety may be replaced upon theperiphery of the reel and the segments may then be extended by outwardmovement of the toggle joint to hold the winding in operative positionthereon.

The toggle joint of the toggle members 7 and 7 is normallyspring-pressed outwardly by suitable springs -11 which are mounted uponthe intermediate portions of the pivotal pins 8 and 8 with one endbearing against the inner face of the adjacent portion of the rim of thecorresponding segment and other ends engaged with the inner face of theportion of the toggle pin -9 between the members -7- and -7- as shownmore clearly in Figure l.

The inner edges of each or" the overlapping portions of the togglemembers 7- and -7- are provided with outwardly projecting ledges 12adapted to be engaged by the finger of the operator for flexing thetoggle joint inwardly against the action or" the springs -11- which, aspreviously stated, serve to return the toggle members to their normalstraightened positions when pressure upon the ledges -l2 is removed.

The rim portions of the segments -5- and -5-- are divided midway betweentheir ends by radial slots -13-, either oi which may be used to receivethe end of the tape for holding it in operative position during itswinding upon the periphery of the reel.

The hub portion of one of the segments as 5- is provided with aninwardly projecting key or pin --14 adapted to engage acorrespondingkey-way or socket in the driving shaft, not shown, upon which the reelis mounted to cause the reel to rotate with the shaft.

The ends of the hub and corresponding ends of the rim of the reel arepreferably disposed in the same planes while the spokes are relativelynarrow axially of the reel and are arranged in spaced relation forreducing the weight of the reel, the divisions -13- being preferablyregistered with the spaces between the adjacent spokes.

The space between the meeting ends of the rim and hub at the toggle sideof the reel is sufliciently large radially and circumferentially topermit free operation of the toggle members without undue friction withthe adjacent portions of the reel.

1 he hinged ends of the segments -5 and 5--- are preferably providedwitl apertured lugs overlapping one upon the other to receive thepivotal pin 6- which is passed thrmigh said lugs and has one end 6--reduced and threaded to engage a corresponding threaded aperture in theouter lug of one of the segments, as shown in Figure 3.

The construction shown and described is particularly simple andeiiicient, but it ob ions that various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A reel having a circular rim divided through one side for expansionand contraction, and a toggle connecting the portions 01" the rim atopposite sides of the division for expand and contracting the rim, saidtopgle we normally spring-pressed to a st toned position for locking therim in it expanded condition.

2. A reel having a circular run compristwo segments lunged together atone en d,

oggle connecting the other ends :tor ena it r'anding and contracting therim, a split hub. spokes secured to hub i'or supporting said runsegments.

o. A reel having a circuhir rim divided into two segments having a.pivotal connection at one side and a toggle at the other side forexpanding and contracting the rim. said toggle being normally springpressed to a straightened position for locking the rim in its expandedcondition.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 14th day ofFebruary, 1929.

EARL I. SPONABLE.

FREDERICK S. BR AGE.

